Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-056 - Critical

10/11/2017

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Security Update for Windows Journal (3156761)

Published: May 10, 2016

Version: 1.0

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user opens a specially crafted Journal file. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

This security update is rated Critical for all supported editions of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10. For more information, see the Affected Software section.

The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how Windows Journal parses Journal files. For more information about the vulnerability, see the Vulnerability Information section.

Affected Software and Vulnerability Severity Ratings

The following software versions or editions are affected. Versions or editions that are not listed are either past their support life cycle or are not affected. To determine the support life cycle for your software version or edition, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle.

The severity ratings indicated for each affected software assume the potential maximum impact of the vulnerability. For information regarding the likelihood, within 30 days of this security bulletin’s release, of the exploitability of the vulnerability in relation to its severity rating and security impact, please see the Exploitability Index in the May bulletin summary.

[1]Windows RT 8.1 updates are available only via [Windows Update](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=21130).

[2]Windows 10 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.

*The Updates Replaced column shows only the latest update in any chain of superseded updates. For a comprehensive list of updates replaced, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, search for the update KB number, and then view update details (updates replaced information is provided on the Package Details tab).

Vulnerability Information

Windows Journal Memory Corruption Vulnerability- CVE-2016-0182

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Microsoft Windows when a specially crafted Journal file is opened in Windows Journal. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could cause arbitrary code to execute in the context of the current user. If a user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data, or create new accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights.

For an attack to be successful, this vulnerability requires that a user open a specially crafted Journal file with an affected version of Windows Journal. In an email attack scenario, an attacker could exploit the vulnerability by sending a specially crafted Journal file to the user, and then convincing the user to open the file. The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying how Windows Journal parses Journal files.

The following table contains links to the standard entry for each vulnerability in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list:

### Mitigating Factors
Microsoft has not identified any [mitigating factors](https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/dn848375.aspx) for this vulnerability.
### Workarounds
The following [workarounds](https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/dn848375.aspx) may be helpful in your situation:
- **Do not open suspicious file attachments**
Do not open Windows Journal (.jnt) files that you receive from untrusted sources or that you receive unexpectedly from trusted sources. This vulnerability could be exploited when a user opens a specially crafted file.
On **WindowsVista** or **Windows 7**:
1. Click **Start**, click **Control Panel** and then click **Programs**.
2. Click **Turn Windows Features on or off**.
3. Uncheck **Tablet PC Components** (**Tablet PC Optional Components** on Windows Vista Systems).
4. Click **OK**.
**Impact of workaround.** Users will be unable to use Windows Journal or other Tablet PC Components.
**Note** Windows 8.1 does not provide a mechanism to disable Windows Journal.
**How to undo the workaround**.
1. Click **Start**, click **Control Panel** and then click **Programs**.
2. Click **Turn Windows Features on or off**.
3. Check **Tablet PC Components** (**Tablet PC Optional Components** on Windows Vista Systems).
4. Click **OK**.
- **Remove the .jnt file type association**

**Interactive Method:**
**Note** Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or view the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe.
To remove the .jnt file type association using the interactive method, follow these steps:
1. Click **Start**, click **Run**, type **regedit**, and then click **OK**.
2. Expand **HKEY\_CLASSES\_ROOT**, click **jntfile**, and then click the **File** menu and select **Export**.
3. In the **Export Registry File** dialog box, type **jntfile HKCR file association registry backup.reg** and click **Save**. This will create a backup of this registry key in the My Documents folder by default.
4. Press the **Delete** key on the keyboard to delete the registry key. When prompted to delete the registry value, click **Yes**.
5. Expand **HKEY\_CURRENT\_USER**, then **Software**, then **Microsoft**, then **Windows**, then **CurrentVersion**, then **Explorer**, and then **FileExts**.
6. Click **.jnt** and then click the **File** menu and select **Export**.
7. In the **Export Registry File** dialog box, type **.jntHKCU file association registry backup.reg** and then click **Save**. This will create a backup of this registry key in the My Documents folder by default.
8. Press the **Delete** key on the keyboard to delete the registry key. When prompted to delete the registry value, click **Yes**.
**Using a Managed Script:**
**Note** Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or view the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe.
To remove the .jnt file type association using an interactive, managed script, follow these steps:
1. Make a backup copy of the registry keys using a managed deployment script with the following commands:
```
Regedit.exe /e jntfile_HKCR_registry_backup.reg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\jntfile
Regedit.exe /e jnt_HKCU_registry_backup.reg HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.jnt
```
2. Save the following to a file with a .reg extension (e.g., Delete\_jnt\_file\_association.reg):
```
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\jntfile]
[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.jnt]
```
3. Run the above registry script created in step 2 on the target machine with the following command:
```
Regedit.exe /s Delete_jnt_file_association.reg
```

Impact of workaround. Double-clicking a .jnt file will no longer launch journal.exe.

How to undo the workaround:

Restore the registry key by using Registry Editor to restore the settings saved in the .REG files.

Remove Windows Journal by disabling the Windows feature that installs it
On Windows Vista and Windows 7 systems, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Programs.

Click Turn Windows Features on or off and then clear the check box for either Tablet PC Optional Components (Windows Vista systems) or Tablet PC Components (Windows 7 systems).

Security Update Deployment

Acknowledgments

Microsoft recognizes the efforts of those in the security community who help us protect customers through coordinated vulnerability disclosure. See Acknowledgments for more information.

Disclaimer

The information provided in the Microsoft Knowledge Base is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Microsoft disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, loss of business profits or special damages, even if Microsoft Corporation or its suppliers have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages so the foregoing limitation may not apply.